Hume, David; Watson, Petra; Neville, Alisoun; Harris, Lachlan; Balgi, Teena --- "Recent Happenings - [2001] ILB 16; (2001) 5(6) ILB 32" [2001] IndigLawB 16; (2001) 5(6) Indigenous Law Bulletin 32

Recent Happenings

Compiled by David Hume, Petra Watson, Alisoun Neville, Lachlan Harris, Teena Balgi.

1 January

Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders called for a more inclusive celebration of the centenary of federation during the federation parade in Sydney, calling for a reappraisal of the impact federation has had on the Indigenous population.

8 January

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that the life expectancy of Aboriginal men in Western Australia and Aboriginal women in South Australia and the Northern Territory has fallen over the last five years. Australia is the only country in the developing world to have sections of its population facing a shrinking life expectancy.

24 January

The Northern Territory Director of Public Prosecutions has confirmed that the mandatory 28 day sentence of a 15 year old Indigenous boy who subsequently committed suicide while in custody was passed down due to a legal mistake. The Magistrate who passed down the sentence failed to utilise a diversionary program for which the boy was eligible.

Federal Industry Minister, Senator Nick Minchin, announced Evetts Field West in Woomera, as the preferred site for the national radioactive waste dump.

30 January

Senator John Herron named Queensland South Native Title Representative Body Aboriginal Corporation (formerly known as Goolburri Land Council) as the recognised native title representative body corporate for Southern Queensland.

31 January

Torres Strait Islanders George Agnew Gesa and Benjamin Alli Nona were acquitted of charges of stealing fish caught by commercial fishermen in their traditional waters. (See David Haigh, page 2 this issue; also [1999] 4(22) ILB 24; [1999] 4(24) ILB 18.)

5 February

The Australian Council of Social Services submitted a $450 million budget proposal to the Federal Government in an attempt to secure funds in order to properly deal with Indigenous rights. The submission advocates increased funding for ATSIC and bodies involved in Indigenous health issues and legal representation.

9 February

The full Federal Court dismissed the Yorta Yorta peoples’ appeal against a trial finding that decision rejecting their Native Title claim (See Atkinson and Reilly, page 19 and 25 respectively, this issue). The Victorian Government offered a negotiated settlement in response to the ruling but the Yorta Yorta people have not ruled out an appeal to the High Court.

12 February

Carol Martin a 43 year old social worker became the first Female Aboriginal to be elected to an Australian Parliament when she won the seat of Kimberley for the Labor Party in the West Australian State Election.

16 February

A University of Queensland report by Dr Paul Memmott, Violence in Indigenous Communities, commissioned by the federal Ministry for Justice and Customs, was publicly released by Senator Amanda Vanstone – 18 months after it was delivered to the government.

19 February

A reconciliation forum held in Canberra and attended by 350 people selected at random has concluded that 2 out of 3 Australians support a formal apology by the federal government and 1 out of 2 support the signing of a formal treaty.

20 February

Local police, the Victorian Premier, and local Indigenous groups have all announced their support for the establishment of a Koori court in Warrnambool. The court could pass down judgements utilising traditional forms of punishment as part of its sentencing regime.

The government announced a $1 million dollar program to try and solve the problem of petrol sniffing among Indigenous youths in the Northern Territory.

23 February

A Federal Court decision that commercial fishing in Arnhem land rivers, streams and estuaries was illegal was overturned by the full Federal Court. (See Ron Levy, (2001) 5(7) ILB, forthcoming).

25 February

Lowitja O’Donoghue ignited a media frenzy by referring to herself as a ‘removed’, rather than stolen, child.

28 February

It was revealed that the federal government spent $11.6 million on the Gunner and Cubillo cases (see Jennifer Clarke (2000) 5(2) ILB 11), which are currently under appeal. $8.4 million was spent defending the cases by the government and $3.2 million was spent by ATSIC funding the plaintiffs’ case.